Alice stepped outside into her tiny balcony, breathing in the cool, dewy morning air. She closed her eyes as she did this, taking in every single goodness the morning exuded. She loved doing this every morning, after she opened her windows and drew her curtains, as it refreshed her. I hope this lasts for a while, thought Alice.

Her thoughts were interrupted with a loud, cracking sound that came from a speaker located at her bedside table. "Alice!" the voice barked. "ALICE! Get up, you lazy girl! Fix me and the girls' breakfast! Chop, chop!" The speaker made a loud, screeching noise as the voice went off.

Alice opened her eyes as soon as she heard the voice. What a beautiful way to start my day, Alice thought to herself. Her mood automatically became grouchy and grumpy. She quickly changed out of her pajamas and into the new black shirt which she recently bought with the money that she finally received as income from her horrible stepmother. Down her legs went her striped pants and up her legs went the hand-me-down jeans she got from the fake aunt that her stepmother created. Her stepmother had actually found those pants in the neighbours trash and thought it would be the 'perfect' gift for Alice's 6th birthday, which was 12 years ago. It took Alice 7 years to finally fit into the pants, but she did not really have a choice.

She ran out of her room, located at the dusty old attic, down the carpeted stairs and into the newly marble-floored kitchen. After washing her hands, Alice opened the fridge, took out the dishes that contained the breakfast of her stepmother and her twin stepsisters. It was a good thing she had prepared the night before, because her bossy stepmother was very impatient. After heating the dishes in the microwave for 5 minutes, she ran out to the backyard, where the rest of her family was. Her stepmother, Goldilla, was sunbathing under the cloudy sky, while her twin stepsisters, Frida and Freda, were having their daily early-morning swimming lessons. Wanting to avoid trouble, Alice quickly placed the dishes on the table beside Goldilla and announced, "Breakfast is served!"

Goldilla turned to Alice's direction, surprised by the sudden appearance of her stepdaughter. "Alice!" Goldilla exclaimed, her voice strained as she tried to keep her voice smooth. She had found her daughters' swimming coach, James, very attractive and wanted to look impressive (sadly, the coach despised Goldilla and wanted to get out of her house A.S.A.P.).

"Alice!" Goldilla exclaimed. "Why, I almost thought you'd never arrive! Is the food fresh? I'm on a diet you know," Goldilla said the last bit a little too loudly, in hopes of catching the attention of the James. Unfortunately, the swim coach was too busy cringing at the sight of Frida and Freda's atrocious swimming.

"Yes, Goldilla, it's fresh. Eat up and enjoy your breakfast," Alice said hurriedly. Lucky for Alice, Goldilla wasn't very intelligent and never understood the physical and termological difference of fresh and not fresh. Alice locked eyes James, a friend she had in times when Goldilla became too obnoxious. James smiled sympathetically and winked at Alice, to which Goldilla had mistaken as a flirty look that was directed to herself. Immediately, Goldilla squealed in delight.

"Oh, James! You're such a naughty boy, do you know that!" Goldilla pathetically flirted publicly. James turned red as beet and pretended as though he had not heard a word Goldilla had said. Alice could not help but giggle to herself. James glanced at Alice, who gave an apologetic shrug and smile.

Alice turned to Goldilla. "Um, Goldilla, I need to ask you something..." she began, but was cut off.

"Damn it, girl! Stop mumbling! You know how I feel about the mumbling," Goldilla scolded Alice. "What is it you want? I'm a busy woman."

"Goldilla," Alice started again, feeling nervous. "I-I-I don't think I'll be able to work at the diner hours before school!" There, I've said it, thought Alice.

Goldilla coughed out the drink she had swallowed. "Hell to the no. You are not weaseling your way out of your future. What makes you think you can do whatever you want? I call the shots here!"

"But Goldilla, my finals are coming up and I need every single second I can get to study! I'm in the top class and I can't afford to be lax! I need those hours, Goldilla. Would you please consider my plea?" Alice said in desperation.

Goldilla sighed as she placed her drink on the table. "Look, 'honey'," Goldilla began. Alice hated it whenever Goldilla called her anything else other than her own name. "You need to accept the fact that it doesn't matter how smart you are. You already have a job. Those people in your class are working their ass off because they don't have a job. And you've already got one. So stop your childish complains because you already have something your silly friends don't. This is your future, Alice. Face it. And no, I'm not considering your silly plea. So, please, get out of my face while I'm asking you nicely." Goldilla said coldly to Alice. She grabbed her drink and began sipping. "I'll be coming in the diner later an hour before you start school, and I expect to see you there. So stop whining your silly ass off and get over there. Now!" barked Goldilla.

Alice, fighting back angry and hurt tears, turned and stormed back into the house. She managed to sneak a look at James, who did a gesture which suggested that Goldilla was a female dog. At least somebody is on the same side as me, thought Alice as she waved goodbye to James, who waved back.

Quickly, she grabbed her school bag, throwing in all the necessary materials she needed for that day. She grabbed her car keys and tossed her bag into her car downstairs. She never loved anything more than her trusty old car, left behind by her beloved father. Thinking too much about the car brought back memories of her father, leaving her in tears. Alice shooked her head. "No," she said to herself. "Not today, Alice, not today. Today will be different, I know it will be."